Change description : 2025-08-27 12:58:00: Updated ‘How we champion cadets’, ‘Promoting the reserve forces’ and ‘Engaging with employers and the local community’. [Guidance and regulation]
South East Reserves Forces' and Cadets' Association
The South East Reserves Forces' and Cadets' Association (SE RFCA) provides support to the 3 services in South East England by maintaining the estate, connecting defence with society and providing the framework to deliver the cadet experience.
We support more than 25,000 cadets and over 4,200 cadet force adult volunteers (CFAV) in South East England. As champions of the cadet movement, we promote the benefits of the cadet experience to young people’s lives.
We work closely with the40 reserve units (Royalacross Navy,the British3 Armyservices andRoyalAirForce)based in South East England to support recruitment,recruitment and topromote the reserve role in delivering the UK’s defence capability.
OfficerPrivate CadetsTyler atBurnell, ValC Thorens.Company, 3rd Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. Copyright: South East RFCA.
ThisI year’sjoined Exercisethe Bluereserves Slalomto tookhelp 44me Officerget Cadetshands-on (OCdts)experience fromwhile Oxford,going Cambridge,through Exeterthe process of joining as a Regular Army Officer. My unit, chain of command and Northumbriapeers Universityhave Officerbeen Trainingextremely Corpssupportive (UOTCs)and helped me in many ways. For me, the best part about being a reservist is the sense of family! Even outside of scheduled training we often meet to Valgo Thorensfor runs or for social events.
While working full-time in a weekdesk job, the reserves gives me the chance to be a part of skiingsomething bigger and beautifulgives weather.me OCdtsthat tooktime onoutside. SkiOn Foundationstraining 1,courses 2and weekends with the unit I have loved sleeping in the field, even in the rain! I can honestly say I now sleep better in my Basha than I do my own bed! Joining the infantry reserves has been the best decision I’ve ever made; the memories and 3,opportunities improvingfor theirdevelopment techniqueare next to none.
This year, we are going to Estonia for a training exercise which I am planning on andattending offafter successful completion of the piste,Combat asInfantry wellCouse as(CIC). learningThe aboutguys avalanchesare andso skisupportive touring.with everything, from helping me become familiar with weapons handling to building strength with the role fitness test.
We work with local employers to encourage support of the UK armed forces community, and to recognise the valuable skill set members of the community bring to the workplace. Our enduring relationships with local communities continue to encourage support for reserves, cadets and the wider military family across the south-east.
LeftGold and Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award logos. Copyright: South East RFCA.
We are delighted to right:announce Lieutenantthat General16 Charlesorganisations Collinsfrom DSOacross OBE,the CommanderSouth ofEast have been awarded the army’sDefence HomeEmployer Command,Recognition andScheme Baroness(ERS) DidoGold HardingAward, representingwhile The33 organisation Jockeyachieved Club,the andSilver LeighAward Thomasfor -2025.
This oneyear’s winners demonstrate the power of SEvalues-led RFCA’sleadership, Regionalcreating Employermore Engagementinclusive, Directors.resilient, Copyright:and Southdynamic Eastorganisations.
Anthony RFCA.Young, CEO of Bridewell, said:
TheAt SEBridewell, RFCAwe Employerare Engagementdeeply teamproud attendedof theour prestigiousarmed Grandforces Militarycommunity Goldand Cupare atcommitted Sandownto Parkproviding Racecourse.them Thean eventenvironment sawwhere they are supported and feel they can belong. Being awarded ‘Gold’ under the formalEmployer signingRecognition ofScheme attests to this ongoing commitment, as well as the Armedgreat Forceswork Covenantbeing done by Thethe Jockeymembers Club.
We manage and maintain the 300 buildings that are home to local cadet and reserve units as well as providehome adaptations for injured service people living in the south-east area.
